Dine under the banyan tree with a “banzhuo” spread—enjoy classic dishes like egg-baked squid rolls and miso-flavored pork!

Written and photographed byGui Xiaosun

I’d been thinking about it for so long and finally made it back to Tainan. If not for the dengue fever... I would’ve set a record of visiting Tainan every single month this year already. Because I’ve made friends here, because I love Tainan’s pace of life, because it’s become a habit… Gradually, coming to Tainan has felt as natural as going home, to the point where not being here starts to make me miss it!

This long weekend, I traveled from Chiayi to Tainan, then on to Kaohsiung… I got to see many old friends I hadn’t seen in a while. I stayed at an amazing homestay: Soul Salon (I’ll write about it when I have the time, ^~^). I also remember how complicated my feelings were that Saturday night… because my sister “Feitianxuan” sent me a private message telling me I had been ranked among the “Top 3 in Best Searchability” for this year’s Pixnet Golden Point Awards!

As someone who didn’t even get nominated for any category last year, it was actually hard for me to believe this honor. Because this wasn’t just a nomination—it was directly earning third place… How could I believe it?! Of course… I was also a bit puzzled, not quite understanding why I could receive this “Top 3 in Best Searchability.” In terms of the travel category, I didn’t even make the top ten… and after searching various sources, my name didn’t even show up the most?! (Still confused… Maybe there’s some logic I don’t understand, but all I can say is that after [being part of the 2013 Pixnet Top 100 Bloggers], I’m touching the circle again this year. I’m going to the award ceremony this year, XD!)

Right away, I told my good friends whom I was going to have dinner with at Songzaijiao that night—we quietly held a little “victory celebration.” Thank you—you know, meeting you has been a very special fate for me. But I realized that so many things are so mutually understood… I’m really happy to have had you with me that night, effortlessly enjoying this joy together. ^____________^ /

So the photo set for this “Songzaijiao Seafood BBQ” isn’t very extensive—I only brought my recently purchased compact camera (Sony a5100)! Here’s a simple share; welcome back to Tainan to play Up… By nighttime, the “Songzaijiao Seafood BBQ” gets a bit cooler—even just sitting without eating and feeling the breeze in a short-sleeve shirt feels a bit chilly. Come by the big tree, right in front of Zonggan Temple, to enjoy these authentic delicacies. Don’t miss the “egg-baked squid rolls” and “miso-flavored pork” (the menu even continues to the back, XD)!

That night, the four of us ordered without limits at one table. I can only say that every dish was amazing. Remember if you come earlier, you can also grab a drink from Shuangquan Black Tea next door… (this “Songzaijiao Seafood BBQ” is just inside from Shuangquan Black Tea).

With a table full of dishes, we ate and chatted… The chewy Japanese-style stir-fried udon had just the right flavor—not too salty or greasy. Coming here alone and devouring a whole plate when hungry would definitely be great. And then there’s our favorite stir-fried clams—they’re huge, super plump and fresh. No wonder they sell seafood, it’s perfect for a seafood lover like me XD.

The two must-try dishes at “Songzaijiao Seafood BBQ” are absolutely these—they’re their classics, their signatures. Egg-baked squid rolls: it’s like tender squid rolls wrapped in a thick layer of egg… I’d never tasted anything like it before. The combination of flavors is fantastic. It leaves a deep impression—salty with a hint of the sweetness from the seafood, not greasy or heavy… Crispy with the texture of the egg skin, offering a rich layering of flavors. Miso-flavored pork: it looks like char siu. The meat, with its marbling and connective tissues, is marinated in miso and then grilled over charcoal… It’s a unique taste that leaves you wanting more.

There’s also a great salad, loaded with seafood (seafood lovers, applaud XD). Also, now that the weather’s cooler, it’s perfect for a bowl of mackerel fish soup (with miso)… Tainan’s fish soup is truly amazing—the fish is tender and delicious, leaving you wanting more. I won’t go into too much detail about the other dishes (because I was basically just eating and chatting the whole time… hahaha~).

Tainan is a really special place. Between the streets… between the houses… there are small alleys… Alleys that hide so many secrets. Just like this “Songzaijiao Seafood BBQ,” tucked away in front of Zonggan Temple. Cars can’t drive in—you have to walk in through the alley from Shuangquan Black Tea on Zhongzheng Road or another small lane… Coming here in the evening under the tree, it’s as if everyone knows about this spot. Groups gather in front of the temple to set up tables, eat, chat, and have fun… We didn’t leave until the temple had closed for the night. XD.

Songzaijiao Seafood BBQ
Address: No. 13, Lane 131, Zhongzheng Road, Tainan City (in front of Zonggan Temple, inside the alley of Shuangquan Black Tea)
Phone: 06-222-6632

[Enjoy life without boredom. —Gui Xiaosun]、FB

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